14. Pepper Potts
The first time Pepper Potts encountered Darcy Lewis face-to-face, she had already received the equivalent of a rave review from Tony, cautious approval from Steve, a disconcertingly adorable blush via Bruce, and the heavily edited SHIELD file (Including the direct quote from Nick Fury that "Miss Lewis has all the subtlety of a goddamn freight train, and the charm of a professional con artist", which should have been an oxymoronic description, and yet was still noted as crucial.) along with a troubling warning from Phil.
Based on what remained in the file (even after an extensive amount of information had been blocked out) she understood Phil's concern. If Pepper had not been positive Tony Stark and Miss Lewis' mother had never crossed paths, she might have suspected that Tony had an unknown daughter in the form of the college student. The level of chaos Miss Lewis left in her wake was overwhelming. That SHIELD had already researched the woman's background and family thoroughly (including DNA tests) was the only proof -as far as Pepper could surmise- that Miss Lewis was not the offspring of Loki. In short, Pepper did not want the Political Science major anywhere near Stark Industries.
But, like several SHIELD individuals in positions of authority, in the end she was not given much choice in the matter.
That morning, she was running behind. Pepper was never late, except today she was in nearly a half hour past when she had scheduled her day in the office to begin.
First Happy hadn't arrived on time, then spent the entire drive to the SI New York Corporate Tower apologizing, something about meeting the love of his life who was already in a happy relationship, and a long line of tequila shots.
Following this, she was ambushed in the lobby by a rather frantic young man from IT who explained that all the cameras and security badge checks had gone down for two minutes a short while ago. So far, it didn't look like anyone had attempted to get into the building during that time. This left Pepper mildly concerned, considering that JARVIS should have informed her of the problem, whether it had been dealt with or not.
Making her way up to her office, she discovered the PA who usually sat at the desk outside the large room, answering calls, shuffling meetings on Pepper's calendar, and acting as the politely immovable version of a bouncer, was not there. Cynthia was always in first, had never missed a day of work, and had not requested any time off.
Yet, today, she was missing.
Had there been a security breach after all?
Pepper's hand was half-way to her phone, preparing to call Happy, when she heard laughter emerging from behind the closed door of her office. Which should be locked.
She internally debated, before walking forward, heels clicking with each step, and opening the door.
Darcy Lewis was sitting cross-legged atop Pepper's desk, hair pulled up in a sloppy ponytail and wearing square framed glasses, jeans with rips in both knees, flip flops, and a tank top stamped with the phrase Are You Nervous? You Should Be.
In that outfit, the woman really shouldn't have made it past the receptionist in the front lobby, let alone to the 40th floor and into the CEO's office.
And she was currently giggling while plying Pepper's vehemently health-conscious assistant with candy and donuts.
Although the maple bars did smell delicious…
Forcing her attention back to the pair, Pepper discovered Miss Lewis was watching her with a smile that invited the older woman to join in their amusement.
Automatically, Pepper's lip quirked up in response, before she sternly forced the happy expression away.
"Miss Baker, Miss Lewis, what precisely are you doing in my office?"
Cynthia flinched violently, shooting out of her chair to stand at the corporate version of attention, back straight, feet together, hands already grasping for her StarkPad. "Miss Potts," she rushed. "I apologize. I know no one is allowed in your office, and I only stepped away from my desk for a few minutes to run to the ladies room, but when I returned-"
Miss Lewis cut the explanation short, having not moved from her perch. "Yeah, my fault. I asked JARVIS to help me kind of, sort of, break into your office. No hard feelings or corporate espionage meant, I swear."
Raising an eyebrow, Pepper's response was dangerously bland. "And yet, here you are, in a room that is kept locked and monitored for multiple security reasons. And as a consequence, I'm afraid I'm going to have to remand you to my chief of security and confiscate any electronics on your person until such time as we can ascertain that you have not copied or downloaded anything out of the Stark Industries databases."
Her finishing blow was a soft smile and shrug, accompanied by an echo of Miss Lewis' earlier words. "No hard feelings."
Pepper had read and logically knew how the college student would react, but was still surprised when the pleased chuckle and wink were paired with the assertion, "You, Fair Lady, are a stunning example of all that is exquisitely and acutely badass.
"I offer you my phone, iPod, the USB with my Politics and Philosophies of the Greco-Roman Period and Their Overreaching Effects on the Modern Political Climate research paper and an illegally downloaded copy of the first three episodes of Firefly, which Clint has been insisting I watch.
"Also, my headphones. And I would hand over the chip embedded in the tattoo of the Captain America shield on my hip, except that would require minor surgery and cause the team to unduly panic.
"Basically, I bow down happily before your very well-clad feet." The brunette glanced downward at the CEO's gorgeous pale blue, Louboutin, 5-inch heels. "Seriously, who dresses you? Because your wardrobe is absurd and some of the outfits I've seen pictures of online shouldn't look good on anyone, then you stride in and it seems like the pieces were designed for your personal use."
Blinking, Pepper considered the student in silence, then tilted back her chin. "…Miss Lewis, I am my own stylist." Then she narrowed her eyes and spoke, voice cool and holding expectation. "For every week you can stop Tony from causing structural damage to the Tower, and see that he eats at least one full meal a day and sleeps more than 14 hours in a week, I will pay you with a new pair of shoes, or piece of clothing that I have picked out specifically to flatter your figure, coloring and style. Is that acceptable?"
Darcy literally curtsied, her smile enormous. "My Queen, where do I sign?"